Interactive Ontario announces diversity and inclusion initiatives

Interactive Ontario (IO) today announced two new initiatives designed to improve diversity and inclusion in the interactive digital media sector.

ipprenticeship ProgramThe IO ipprenticeship Program will provide week-long apprenticeship placements at leading digital media companies to candidates who may have experienced barriers to entry in the IDM sector due to race, ethnicity, class, gender, sexual orientation, age, ability, religion or class.

The apprentices will receive a combination of shadowing and one-on-one meetings with key team members, gaining behind-the-scenes exposure, knowledge transfer and access to industry professionals and networks. Companies will benefit by meeting a diverse pool of talented candidates with the skills required to help meet their hiring challenges, while helping grow awareness about opportunities in the IDM sector in Ontario.

Diversity and Inclusion ToolkitThe next Interactive Ontario research project will be a Diversity and Inclusion Toolkit for the Interactive Digital Media sector.

This project will examine barriers to diversity and inclusion in the Ontario IDM sector. Interviews with company owners, HR leads and members of equity-seeking groups will inform the report.

IO will also provide within the report practical resources for companies who recognize issues within their organizations and wish to increase diversity and improve inclusion on their teams.

“These initiatives emerged in response to statistics from the recently-released Interactive Ontario report, Measuring Success: The Impact of the Interact Digital Media Sector in Ontario,” said IO Executive Director Christa Dickenson. “The numbers suggest that there is room for improvement with respect to diversity and inclusion in the sector and we hope that these two initiatives will help move the needle.”

About DHX MediaDHX Media Ltd. (www.dhxmedia.com) is the world’s leading independent, pure-play children’s content company. Owner of the world’s largest independent library of children’s content, at more than 12,500 half-hours, the Company is recognized globally for such brands as Teletubbies, Yo Gabba Gabba!, Caillou, In the Night Garden, Inspector Gadget, Make It Pop, Slugterra and the multiple award-winning Degrassi franchise. As a content producer and owner of intellectual property, DHX Media delivers shows that children love, licensing its content to major broadcasters and streaming services worldwide. Through its subsidiary, WildBrain, DHX Media also operates one of the largest networks of children’s content on YouTube. The company’s robust consumer products program generates royalties from merchandise based on its much-loved children’s brands. Headquartered in Canada, DHX Media has offices in 15 cities globally, and is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (DHX.A and DHX.B) and the NASDAQ Global Select Market (DHXM).

About Groupe Média TFOGroupe Média TFO is an essential destination for audiences seeking innovative educational and cultural content in French, at the vanguard of digital learning. TFO serves two million students and 30,000 teachers in Ontario and in Canada, and hosts a French-language YouTube channel that is now number 1 in Canada. Its content has been awarded multiple prizes, from Austin to Amsterdam: Kidscreen Awards, Gemini Awards, Cassies, IBC Awards, SXSW Film Design Awards, and many more.

About UbisoftUbisoft is a leading creator, publisher and distributor of interactive entertainment and services, with a rich portfolio of world-renowned brands, including Assassin’s Creed, Just Dance, Tom Clancy’s video game series, Rayman, Far Cry and Watch Dogs. The teams throughout Ubisoft’s worldwide network of studios and business offices are committed to delivering original and memorable gaming experiences across all popular platforms, including consoles, mobile phones, tablets and PCs. For the 2015-16 fiscal year Ubisoft generated sales of €1,394 million. To learn more, please visit www.ubisoftgroup.com.